Cheddar Bay Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

If you’re craving comfort food that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, my Cheddar Bay Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is going to be your new favorite. It’s got that cheesy, buttery biscuit flavor you adore from Red Lobster’s famous Cheddar Bay biscuits, but turned into pillowy dumplings smothered in creamy chicken stew. Honestly, every time I make this, it brings back memories of cozy family dinners with a casual, homey feel that’s perfect for any night you want something both satisfying and a little special.

What I love most about this Cheddar Bay Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is how effortlessly it comes together — yet it looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a small family dinner or a weekend gathering, it’s a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that never disappoints. Plus, it’s flexible enough so you can tweak the seasonings and ingredients to fit your taste or what you have on hand. You’ll enjoy how these dumplings soak up the rich, flavorful broth, making every bite a real treat.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cheddar Bay Chicken and Dumplings Recipe plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture. The biscuit mix ensures fluffy, cheesy dumplings, while fresh veggies and seasonings give the soup a wholesome foundation. I always recommend using good-quality chicken broth and the right cheese for the best taste.

• Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix: This is the star for dumplings; it brings that signature cheddar and seasoning you can’t replicate easily.
• Cold Water: Helps create the perfect dough consistency for light dumplings.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds an extra punch of cheesy goodness inside the dumplings.
• Chicken (breasts, thighs, or rotisserie): Choosing thighs gives you more flavor and juicy bites, but rotisserie is a fantastic time-saver.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential basics to season the chicken properly before cooking.
• Olive Oil: Used for browning the chicken and building flavor in your soup base.
• Salted Butter: Its richness helps soften and flavor the veggies, which are the heart of the stew.
• Yellow Onion, Carrot, and Celery: Classic mirepoix that adds sweetness, depth, and texture.
• Garlic Cloves: Adds a lovely aromatic kick to round out the flavor.
• All Purpose Flour: Thickens the broth to give it that luscious, creamy texture.
• Chicken Broth: The liquid base that’s packed with umami; high quality makes a big difference here.
• Heavy Cream: Makes the broth creamy and decadent, though you can swap with half and half or milk if you prefer something lighter.
• Kinder’s Buttery Steakhouse and Roast Chicken Seasonings: These blend unique herbs and spices that boost flavor; if you can’t find them, a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, and a little poultry seasoning works well.
• Dried Parsley Flakes: Adds a touch of color and fresh herbal notes to finish things off.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Cheddar Bay Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you like it spicier, richer, or lighter, you can adjust without losing any of the deliciousness. I encourage you to play around with the seasonings or swap the veggies for what you have on hand.

• Variation: Sometimes I add a handful of fresh spinach near the end of cooking for a green boost that doesn’t overpower the dish.
• Make it Spicy: Adding a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika turns up the heat without masking the cheddar flavor.
• Dairy Alternatives: If you want to lighten it up, half and half works pretty well, but avoid skim milk as it thins the broth too much.
• Vegetarian Swap: Try substituting the chicken broth with vegetable broth and adding mushrooms for a savory twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheddar Bay Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Season Your Chicken

Start by chopping your chicken into bite-sized pieces and seasoning them generously with salt and pepper. If you’re short on time or want extra flavor, rotisserie chicken works perfectly here — no seasoning needed on your part. This simple step ensures every bite of chicken has some seasoning that shines through the creamy broth.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Heat your olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then add the chicken pieces. Cook them for about 5-6 minutes until browned but not fully cooked through, then remove and set aside. Don’t skip browning — it creates those delicious caramelized bits that add depth to your soup.

Step 3: Sauté the Veggies

In the same pot, melt the butter and add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant. This slow sauté brings out their natural sweetness, which balances the richness of the final dish.

Step 4: Add Garlic and Flour

Stir in your minced garlic, cooking for just 2 minutes so it doesn’t burn or get bitter. Then sprinkle in the all-purpose flour, stirring and cooking for 3-4 minutes to remove the raw flour taste and give you a roux that will thicken the soup beautifully.

Step 5: Add Liquids and Seasonings

Slowly pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream while stirring constantly to keep lumps at bay. Then, add the Kinder’s Buttery Steakhouse and Roast Chicken Seasonings along with dried parsley flakes. This step is where the magic happens—they turn your broth into a luscious, flavorful base.

Step 6: Return Chicken and Simmer

Toss the browned chicken back into the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer gently. This slow simmer helps all the flavors meld together perfectly while you get ready to make the dumplings.

Step 7: Prepare the Cheddar Bay Dumplings

In a bowl, combine the cheddar bay biscuit mix with cold water and the seasoning packet included, then fold in the grated sharp cheddar cheese. Be careful not to overmix here; a gentle stir ensures your dumplings stay tender and fluffy, not rubbery.

Step 8: Drop Dumplings into the Soup

Use a spoon to scoop dumpling dough into your simmering soup, spacing them apart to prevent sticking (but don’t stress if they touch). Cover the pot with a lid and cook undisturbed for 20 minutes. No peeking — lifting the lid early can make the dumplings soggy or unevenly cooked.

Step 9: Separate and Serve

Once the cooking time’s up, gently separate the dumplings with a spoon — they’ll be soft and full of cheesy goodness. Let the whole stew sit for about 10 minutes off the heat to thicken up before serving hot. Enjoy every bite!

How to Serve Cheddar Bay Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra chopped fresh parsley or chives on top when serving—they add a fresh pop of color and brightness. Sometimes, a light drizzle of melted butter over the dumplings just before eating takes things up a notch.

Side Dishes

Since this recipe is filling on its own, I usually keep sides simple. A crisp green salad with a zesty vinaigrette complements the richness beautifully. Or, some roasted Brussels sprouts or steamed green beans add great texture and color to the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this in individual rustic bowls with a sprinkle of sharp cheddar and fresh herbs on top. You could even add a slice of cheddar bay biscuit on the side or toast a baguette for dipping. It feels like a cozy restaurant experience right at home!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge, and they keep well for up to 4 days. The soup thickens a bit overnight, so I usually add a splash of broth or milk when reheating to loosen it back up.

Freezing

Personally, I don’t recommend freezing Cheddar Bay Chicken and Dumplings because the dumplings and soup texture change quite a bit once thawed. If you’re keen on freezing, try freezing the stew and biscuits separately, but know it might not replicate the fresh taste.

Reheating

To reheat, warm your leftovers gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching. Adding a splash of cream or broth helps return it to that fresh-from-the-pot consistency. Microwaving works too, but watch the time to keep dumplings tender.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Cheddar Bay Chicken and Dumplings Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it merges two beloved comfort foods into one incredible meal. Making it always feels like a little celebration of simple, hearty flavors done right. I hope you give it a try and it becomes that go-to recipe you rely on when you want something cozy, cheesy, and totally satisfying. Trust me, your family and friends will thank you!

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